IND vs AUS, Final, U19 World Cup 2024 Highlights: Unmissable video recap, turning points & more

Another final ended in a heartbreak for India. They lost to Bangladesh in the 2022 U19 World Cup final, which was followed by a loss against Australia in the Commonwealth Games 2022, in the World Test Championship 2023 final, the ODI World Cup 2023 final, and now once again in the U19 World Cup 2024 final. The Uday Saharan-led side gave a lot of confidence to fans through the brand of cricket they have played throughout the course of the tournament but, it was Australia, who once again emerged victorious, breaking billions of hearts, like they are used to.

Batting first, the Hugh Weibgen-led side struggled for a bit but always looked to be in control. Opener Harry Dixon made 42 runs, while the skipper himself scored 48 runs. Indian-origin batter Harjas Singh, who had been in terrible form, rose to the occasion and made a gritty half-century and ended up as the leading run-scorer on the big day. He made 55 runs while batting at number six while Oliver Peake scored 46* runs as Australia posted 253 runs on the board in the first innings.

When it came to the chase, India struggled with the bat right from the start. Arshin Kulkarni, who proved to be a star with the bat in the initial phase of the tournament, scored just three runs while Musheer Khan made 22. Opener Adarsh Singh kept going for the longest time but none of the cricketers could support him in the middle. Skipper Saharan went back to the pavilion after scoring eight runs, while Sachin Dhas and Priyanshu Moliya made nine runs each.

Murugan Abhishek scored valiant 42 down the order

Stumper-batter Aravelly Avanish failed to open his tally as India were reduced to 91/6 at one stage. Adarsh tried to build a strong partnership with Murugan Abhisekh but unfortunately, Mahli Beardman got the better of him when he was batting on 47. Murugan, however, kept going and made 42 runs as India lost the match by 79 runs. Beardman and Raf MacMillan meanwhile were phenomenal with the ball, as they picked up three wickets each.

Australia were in jubilation after the win as they bagged their fourth U19 World Cup title in history. On the other hand, agony followed in the Indian dressing room as the players were spotted in tears. It seemed like a repeat of the chapter – So close, yet so far for the Indian national team.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: